Starlight’s Cruise Experience

Be inspired, learn and laugh on this Thomson River cruise with stockman’s campfire dinner.

Board the only paddlewheeler west of the Great Divide or the historic Thomson Princess Riverboat and enjoy an adventure to the heart of outback tradition and legend.

Enjoy a gentle sunset cruise down the majestic Thomson River, where birds flock home to roost on the riverbanks. This is Longreach’s original Thomson River Cruise and still a must-do for every visitor to Longreach.

There are endless photo opportunities and an insightful commentary as you pass natural features before we go ashore for a traditional stockman’s camp-fire dinner. This is the real outback experience with inspiring and humorous traditional entertainment featuring our barefoot bush poet and your Kinnon family host.

Next, the bush is illuminated by the Starlight’s Spectacular Sound & Light Picture Show – a unique big-screen presentation featuring the Kinnon family and locals in the amazing adventures of the notorious cattle thief known as ‘Captain Starlight’.

Finally, in the atmospheric surroundings of the bush at night, enjoy the timeless favourite – billy tea and damper.

Subject to availability, you may be cruising on the original paddlewheeler or on the Thomson Princess, which has riverside seats all around and lets you capture photos of the photogenic paddlewheeler at sunset. (In the quieter season, we only use the paddlewheeler.)

The cruise departs Monday to Saturday with coach pick-up from 4.30pm. Bookings essential. Please let us know when you book if you have any special dietary requirements.